According to the latest reports, Lille superstar Nicolas Pepe’s agent has revealed that his client will be leaving the club in the summer transfer window and Premier League giants Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal are closely monitoring his situation. 23-year-old is one of the hottest properties at the moment in the European continent, attracting heavy interest from several suitors in the English Premier League.
The Story About This Arsenal, Chelsea And Liverpool Target
Arsenal and Chelsea are in a close race to see who will finish inside the top four this season. The two London giants are also battling Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United. That is for the last two places in the top four in a congested competition.
Under Unai Emery, Arsenal looks revitalized. The Spaniard still wants to make some summer transfer signings to bolster his squad. Emery has breathed fresh air into the Emirates Stadium with his arrival and most of his transfers in last summer’s transfer window have hit the ground running in north London. Welshman Aaron Ramsey is also departing the club at the end of the season and Arsenal are looking for a player who can add some more width to their attack.
What Did The Agent Of The Player Say To The Media?
The Gunners are keeping close tabs on Lille star Nicolas Pepe. He is a possible summer signing. The latest news will give them hope for his signature. Pepe’s representative Samir Khiat admitted that there are no favourite clubs on the European continent as of yet who are ready to sign Pepe.
Khiat said, “We are in discussions with clubs. No decision has been taken. Today, there are no favourites, be it Bayern Munich or another club. Nicolas will not go just anywhere. We have not decided on which league.”
Even Lille president Gerard Lopez has confirmed that Pepe will leave the club as he told reporters, “Four or five players will be leaving this summer, and all clubs will be forced to balance their accounts except perhaps one. I would say yes, I am sure he [Pepe] will leave. He enters a price range that can no longer be paid. There is a career choice to be made for him, I think he will have the choice.”
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Pepe has been in sublime form for Lille this season. He has helped the Ligue 1 giants to second place in the French table. The Ivorian has scored 20 goals this season. He has also racked up 11 assists in all competitions. This has been attracting big clubs including Liverpool and Chelsea as well.
Liverpool are now interested in signing Lille winger Nicolas Pépé, with #LFC unsure whether to keep Mohamed Salah as they know a massive offer could arrive for the Egyptian. Pépé is on a shortlist drafted as possible Salah replacements. [@le10sport] #LFC pic.twitter.com/cVuNJiPnVD
— LFC Transfer Room (@LFCTransferRoom) April 19, 2019
If Chelsea is unable to qualify for the Champions League, it will be extremely difficult for the Blues to keep hold of Belgian superstar Eden Hazard. They could lose him in the summer transfer window. The West London club are eyeing Pepe as a potential replacement for the 28-year-old winger.
Even Jurgen Klopp wants reinforcements in the summer. That is to build on his squad. He is monitoring Pepe if he is open to a move to Anfield. The €75m price tag on the attacker means that Arsenal will find it difficult to compete with their English rivals in a bid to sign Pepe this summer.